The star crossed lovers

XXXVII

As soon as Davina crossed the threshold and left the room, Lucifer's knees buckled beneath him, and he crumbled to the cold, marble floor. A sharp, searing pain coursed through him—a brutal reminder that he had defied the contract once again. This was the third time he had interfered with her fate, and he knew nature itself, the laws that governed all existence, would not forgive him easily this time.

Luna's face paled as she rushed to his side, her worry unmistakable. She helped him to her throne, her heart aching as she supported his weight. "Wouldn't it have been better if you had chosen me already?" she asked softly, a single tear slipping down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, attempting to mask her vulnerability.

Lucifer chuckled through the pain, his breath labored. "It would have been," he rasped, his voice raw with exhaustion. Luna couldn't believe her eyes—this was the Lucifer, the Lord of Hell, the one who had no equal, now reduced to this fragile state. Once untouchable, unmatched, now he appeared so broken. It was like seeing a god fall from grace, a being who once held the world in his palm now struggling just to stay upright.

"You're the almighty," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. "And yet, you're like this. How could someone like you be brought so low?"

Lucifer only smiled weakly, the edges of his lips curling into a playful grin despite the agony tearing through him. "It isn't too late now, you know?" Luna pressed, her voice thick with emotion. "Choose me—I'd give my life for yours if it came to that."

Lucifer shook his head softly, the chuckle that escaped his lips tinged with bitter irony. "You can't exchange your life for mine, Luna," he said, his voice deepening with sincerity. "It's not a gift—it's a curse. And besides, it's too late. Even if we had met lifetimes ago, before I met her... I would still have ignored you. I would have always chosen her." He let out a hoarse laugh, teasing her despite the heaviness in the air. Luna, unable to suppress a small smile, punched him lightly in the shoulder.

"It can only be her," he continued, his voice more somber now. "This heart... it belongs to her, in this life and every one to follow."

"Then promise me," Luna whispered, her voice quivering, "in the next life, you'll come to me first?"

Lucifer smiled at her, knowing how much pain her words held. He remembered when they first met—both of them lost, both drowning in their own darkness. She had lost her mate before ever knowing him, and her wolf had given up on life. And he, a man with a past so dark it swallowed all light, had been carrying burdens too heavy for anyone to bear. They had become each other's solace, their friendship the only light in their desolate worlds . she helped him when the entire world had turned their back on him , no one wanted to accept him as the dark lord replacement yet she was the first one to believe in him . 

But now, he couldn't make that promise. He could never choose anyone else. So instead, he deflected. "Why did you come, Luna? I would've sorted this out myself. Now all your hard work of becoming a myth and avoiding responsibility is flushed down the drain," he teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Luna rolled her eyes, but the worry never left her expression. "I heard a friend was looking to meet his end," she replied. "I had to come see him off, of course."

"How long can you hold on?" she asked seriously, her voice steady despite the emotion behind it.

"Long enough for her to live this life in peace," Lucifer answered, his gaze darkening with determination. "But once it's over for her... once I'm gone... she'll have to take my place. I don't want her to suffer through my fate. Can you help me with that?"

"What do you mean?" Luna asked, confused.

"You have four vacant seats now," Lucifer explained, his voice laced with dark humor. "You'll need replacements. I have two people in mind—when the time comes, of course."

"I know one," Luna said, narrowing her eyes at him. "But who's the other? Are you hiding a mistress?"

Lucifer chuckled softly. "Not a mistress, but a friend—you know her."

"Victoria?" Luna asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," he confirmed. "Train her. She'll be a better goddess than those four could ever hope to be. She's compassionate, loyal... maybe a bit rough around the edges, but with your guidance, I'm sure she won't disappoint."

"Enough about them," Luna tried to stop him from exhausting himself any further as she could feel his body burning . 

" Promise me "  He interrupted, his voice more serious . 

" I Promise you " she promised , making him sigh in relief . her voice softening with worry. "Come to my chambers. You need rest."

Lucifer smirked, recalling the last time she had made such an offer, teasing him with her not-so-subtle intentions. "I won't fall for that," he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I remember the last time you wanted to 'take care of me.'"

Luna shot him a serious look. "I don't take advantage of dying souls," she said, her tone stern, but the worry in her voice was unmistakable.

But Lucifer, ever the stubborn one, slowly rose from the throne. Despite the pain, despite his crumbling form, he straightened his back and made his way toward the exit. He didn't want to burden anyone , not even her. His heart ached as he walked away, the weight of the world heavy on his shoulders.